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Religious Studies

Religious Studies involves understanding the core values and beliefs that shape the world's cultures today. This involves examining the history of religious traditions, comparing the ideas and values of different religions, and understanding the function of religion in society. Students of religion use theories from anthropology, sociology, literary studies, and cognitive science to investigate why people are religious, where religion comes from, and how it should be defined and understood. Religious studies is multi-disciplinary in nature, global in scope, and uniquely focussed on one of the most intriguing aspects of the human experience.

Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - BAH

Major in Religious StudiesA major is an intensive course of study in one discipline, with approximately half of your courses within the discipline with room for an optional minor in any other Arts and Science discipline.

Medial in Religious StudiesA dual course of study in Religious Studies and any other Arts discipline.

Minor in Religious StudiesA minor is a less intensive course of study in the discipline that must be combined with a major in another discipline.

Graduate Degree Options

Religious Studies - MA

Job and Career Opportunities for Religious Studies Grads

Religious Studies is increasingly important as awareness grows of the role of religions in a global context. There is a difference between studying religion and being religious. Interest in the study of religion does not presuppose affiliation with any particular religious institution. Concentrators in Religious Studies are introduced to a variety of religious traditions, an understanding of the place of the religious in various cultural settings, and an understanding of the status and roles of both women and men in relation to religious traditions. We present a variety of approaches to studying religion, e.g., historical, literary, philosophical, ethical and social scientific studies of religion.

Some of our Religious Studies grads work in in the following industries:

Religious Studies Research at Queen's

The School of Religion comprises eight tenured faculty who hold PhDs in religious studies or theology from top-ranked institutions. Most courses are taught by this core faculty, including introductory level courses. The School also employs adjunct faculty whose expertise supplements the core faculty. From time to time the school draws on expert faculty from other university departments for some courses. Teaching is supported by a team of well-trained and hard-working Teaching Assistants.

The School of Religion is home to innovative research and publications in a wide range of fields. Faculty members have won significant grants from provincial, federal and international granting agencies to carry out leading-edge research on aspects of religion in the modern and ancient world. Our publications have also received critical acclaim and prestigious awards. In addition to the publications of faculty members, our master's students produce research essays on a diverse range of topics, some of them published in peer-reviewed journals.

The award-winning faculty at the School of Religion undertake academic research into the religions and cultures of the world and religious issues emerging in the Canadian landscape, and have research links to universities globally. Teaching and research range over some of the major religious traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism, and focus on key geographic regions such as China, Europe, India, the Middle East, and North America.

In the past few years, faculty research and publications have included...

Gurus of Modern Yoga (edited by Ellen Goldberg and Mark Singleton, 2013)

Undergraduate Course Highlights

Religious Studies courses offer a variety of approaches from which to examine societal matters through courses such as Religion and Violence, Religion and Sport, Mythology of the Ancient Near East, Religion and Sex, Yoga in India and Religion and Film. At the same time, the program offers in-depth study of traditions such as Hinduism, Islam, Daoism, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and the Religions of Native Peoples.

Undergraduate Admission to Religious Studies

Students apply to Queen’s Arts (QA) through the OUAC (Ontario Universities Application Centre) website (ouac.on.ca). Secondary School prerequisites include six 4U and 4M courses, including a minimum of three 4U courses, one of which must be ENG4U. Applicants outside of Ontario may have additional requirements.

News

Queen’s University post doctoral fellow Valerie Michaelson is exploring research around adolescents and spiritual health. While spiritual health has long been recognized as important to health and well-being...

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Scholarships

Certainly it is true that “A” students tend to get scholarships. But it is important to remember that many of our scholarships use grades as just one criterion when assessing you for scholarships: research experience, job experience, and evidence of communication, leadership and interpersonal skills are all important components, particularly for...